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City’s favourite ‘Yank’ will
be sorely missed by locals

‹›×Commander David Raymond was a popular speaker at Pearl Harbour Day commemorations.

Commander David Raymond was a popular speaker at Pearl Harbour Day commemorations.

‹›×Commander David Raymond was a popular speaker at Pearl Harbour Day commemorations.

Story appeared in: Torch | July 11th, 2017

BANKSTOWN'S favourite "yank", Commander David Raymond has died aboard a plane returning to Sydney, after holidaying in Germany. He was 88.
Mr Raymond, who has called Chester Hill home for over 45 years, immigrated to Australia from the United States with his wife Sonja in 1970.
"He had a bad cough, and asked for a water from the stewardess," Mrs Raymond said.
"He went to sleep, and his heart apparently failed."
Mr Raymond, who spent 27 years in the United States' military reached the rank of Sgt First Class, and was the commander of the American Legion, "Yanks Down Under", since 1973. He was instrumental in establishing the annual Pearl Harbour and Victory in the Pacific memorial services in Bankstown.
As a young man Mr Raymond worked for Angus and Robertson, and was also involved in the installation of the acoustic doors on the Sydney Opera House during its construction.
Dignitaries, including the US Consulate General, representatives from the Bankstown RSL Sub Branch and members of parliament attended his Rookwood Cemetery service last Friday.
State MP for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk said Mr Raymond was an affable, thoughtful and gracious gentleman, who will sorely be missed by the local community.
"I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Sonja and daughter Nicole at this difficult time," Ms Mihailuk said.